International Overdose Awareness Day, observed annually on August 31st, is an annual campaign aimed at raising awareness about overdose, reducing the stigma of drug-related deaths, and acknowledging the grief felt by families and friends who have lost a loved one to overdose. This global event serves to raise awareness about the issues surrounding overdoses and encourages community involvement and collective action.
As we approach this significant day, it’s crucial to understand the factors that contribute to overdoses, the substances involved, and how to prevent these tragic incidents. Here at First Steps Recovery, we are committed to making sure this day is properly observed and resources are available to those who need them.
What Causes an Overdose?
A drug overdose occurs when a person consumes more of a drug or combination of drugs than their body can handle. This excess can lead to life-threatening symptoms or even death. International Overdose Awareness Day was established to help people learn more about what an overdose is, what to do if an overdose occurs, and how to carry out overdose prevention techniques. Several factors contribute to the risk of overdose, including the following:
Amount of Drugs Beyond a Person's Tolerance
Tolerance refers to the body’s ability to process a certain amount of a substance. Over time, regular drug use increases tolerance, meaning the person needs to take more of the drug to achieve the same effect. However, if a person takes a large quantity of a drug beyond their tolerance level, the body may be unable to handle it. This leads to an overdose.
Polydrug Use
Polydrug use refers to the consumption of more than one substance at the same time. This practice significantly increases the risk of overdose because the interaction between drugs can amplify their effects. For instance, mixing opioids with alcohol (both of which are depressants) can suppress breathing to a fatal level. Even drugs that seem “compatible” can have unpredictable and dangerous interactions.
Contaminated Drugs
Relapse
Relapse, or returning to drug use after a period of abstinence, is a particularly dangerous time for overdose. During abstinence, the body’s tolerance to the drug decreases. If a person then takes the same amount of the drug they used before quitting, their body might not be able to handle it. This leads to a high risk of overdose.
What Determines a Person’s Tolerance Level?
Tolerance to a substance is influenced by several factors, including:
- Frequency and Duration of Use: Regular and prolonged use of a drug increases tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effects.
- Individual Physiology: Genetics, metabolism, and overall health play a significant role in how quickly a person develops tolerance.
- Type of Substance: Some substances, like opioids, build tolerance rapidly, while others, like alcohol, might take longer.
- Mental Health: Individuals with certain mental health conditions might develop tolerance differently, sometimes more rapidly.
Understanding these factors is essential for both individuals and healthcare providers in managing and preventing overdoses.
Substances Likely to Cause Overdose
While any substance use can potentially lead to an overdose, certain drugs are more commonly involved in overdose deaths. These include:
Alcohol
Alcohol is one of the most commonly used addictive substances, and is frequently involved in polydrug use. Because it is legal and mostly considered socially acceptable, its dangers are often underestimated. However, excessive alcohol consumption can depress the central nervous system, leading to respiratory failure. This is especially true when combined with other depressants like opioids.
Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that has become a significant contributor to the overdose crisis. It is often mixed with other illicit drugs (such as heroin or cocaine) without the user’s knowledge. Due to its potency, even a tiny amount can be lethal.
Opioids
Opioids, from prescription painkillers like oxycodone to illegal drugs like heroin, are a leading cause of overdose deaths. They work by depressing the central nervous system, which can lead to slowed or stopped breathing when taken in high doses or mixed with other depressants.
Prescription Pills
Prescription medications, particularly those used for pain management, anxiety, or sleep disorders, are often involved in overdoses. Medications like benzodiazepines, when taken in large quantities or combined with alcohol or opioids, can be deadly.
Signs of an Overdose
As we near International Overdose Awareness Day, individuals should take some time to learn about the signs of drug overdose. Recognizing the overdose symptoms is crucial for providing timely help. The symptoms can vary depending on the substance involved but often include:
- Loss of Consciousness: The person may be unresponsive or unable to wake up.
- Breathing Difficulties: Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing, or no breathing at all.
- Blue or Grayish Skin Tone: Especially around the lips and fingernails, indicating a lack of oxygen.
- Choking or Gurgling Sounds: This is a sign that the airway is blocked or the person is having difficulty breathing.
- Pinpoint Pupils: This is a common sign of opioid overdose, where the pupils become very small.
- Vomiting: The person may vomit and be unable to clear their airway.
How to Help Someone Who Has Overdosed
If you suspect someone is overdosing, taking immediate action can save lives. Here are tips on what to do if someone overdoses:
- Call Emergency Services: Immediately dial emergency services (911 in the United States) and provide them with as much information as possible. Include the substances involved, if known.
- Administer Naloxone: If the overdose involves opioids, administering naloxone (Narcan) can temporarily reverse the effects of the overdose, giving the person time to receive medical attention.
- Perform CPR: If the person is not breathing, perform rescue breathing or CPR until emergency services arrive.
- Stay with the Person: Do not leave the person alone. Stay with them and monitor their condition, ensuring their airway remains clear.
- Position Them Safely: If the person is unconscious but breathing, place them in the recovery position (on their side, with their body supported by a bent leg) to prevent choking.
Heal From Addiction at First Steps Recovery
As International Overdose Awareness Day approaches, it is important to raise awareness about the resources that are available to those who are suffering from substance use disorders. Preventing overdose is a critical step in the journey to recovery and a key part of efforts to end the risk of drug overdose.
At First Steps Recovery, we understand the challenges of addiction and the devastating impact it can have on individuals and their loved ones. Our comprehensive treatment programs are designed to address the root causes of addiction, helping individuals build a foundation for lasting recovery.
We offer a range of services, including detoxification, residential treatment, therapy, and aftercare support, all tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual. Our compassionate and experienced team is dedicated to providing a safe and supportive environment where healing can begin.
If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact First Steps Recovery today and take the first step towards a healthier, drug-free life.
Dr. Curl is the Medical Director and primary on-site provider for First Steps Recovery. He is a Board Certified Internist and Addiction Medicine Specialist having attended the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completing his residency at Mount Auburn Hospital with Harvard Medical School. Following several years work as an internist and physiatrist (physical medicine and rehabilitation). Dr. Curl completed the Addiction Medicine Fellowship at Howard University in Washington DC and participated as a RAM Scholar (Research in Addiction Medicine). While part of the fellowship, Dr. Curl pursued research investigating the barriers to expanding and improving medication for opioid use disorder. Following his fellowship, Dr. Curl spearheaded the Opiate Use Disorder outpatient clinic and worked in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences within the Howard University Hospital. In 2023, Dr. Curl completed his Board Certification in Addiction Medicine.
